Easy Homemade Chili

Updated on August 10, 2013

Homemade Chili Recipe for When You Don't Have all Day

Want to make easy homemade chili, but don't have all day to wait for the crockpot? Believe me, it is so easy to make a hearty dinner for the family, and this recipe will take 20 minutes or less. I love one pan cooking that is simple and quick.

Nothing says "comfort food" like chili, in my opinion. Its filling, high in fiber, and can be adjusted to taste quite easily. Homemade chili is a popular dish for tailgate parties and potluck gatherings.

Cooking for family need not be a chore! At our home, chili is a favorite dinner dish that everyone enjoys. I like to dish it up "straight" in a bowl, topped with shredded cheese, chopped onions and a little cilantro (or corn chips as shown above). My children eat baked potatoes topped with chili. You can even make chili dogs - simply prepare your hot dog and bun as usual, then add 1/4 cup of chili on top.

Trust me - this homemade chili recipe is another cheap, fast and easy dinner that you can be proud to serve. Banish the idea of fast food right now. You'll only need a few ingredients at the grocery store.

Delicious easy homemade chili | Source

Cook Time for Easy Homemade Chili

Prep time: 5 min

Cook time: 15 min

Ready in: 20 min

Yields: 6-8 servings

What do you think of this Easy Homemade Chili Recipe?

Rate Me!

3.4 stars from 19 ratings of Easy Homemade Chili

Easy Homemade Chili Ingredients

We'll start with the basic recipe; there are additional suggested alternatives for a vegetarian chili or chicken chili recipe below.

Add all remaining ingredients, stir well, and bring to a boil, stirring consistently

Turn down heat to low and continue cooking for 5-10 minutes

Serve immediately with shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped onions, corn chips and/or chopped fresh cilantro, if you like. You can also employ another one of my tricks. I finish making the chili, then I transfer it to my crockpot/slow cooker. Keep it on low for 1-2 hours and your guests will have a piping hot dish!

Vegetarian Chili Alternative

Simply replace the beef with 1 can each (15 oz) of kidney beans and garbanzo beans. Don't forget to also include the can of black beans.

Mix all the ingredients together and allow to simmer over medium low heat for 10-15 minutes.

If you like the texture and taste of veggie burger, you can include 1/2 pound of vegetarian burger crumbles in the mix. Feel free to experiment here, as well.

Love vegetables? Include 1/2 c. chopped celery and 1 can of corn!

Chicken Chili in a Crockpot

Chicken Chili Alternative

Chicken chili is a great dish to cook up when you have left over chicken, or if you just prefer white meat.

With this variation, you'll need to make a few additional revisions to the original homemade chili recipe. In place of the beef, include these ingredients, too, and replace the black beans with the white beans:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 pound diced, cooked chicken meat

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken broth

1 (18.75 oz.) can tomatillos, drained and chopped

1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (7 ounce) can diced green chilies

1 (15 ounce) can white beans

Don't forget - you'll also need the seasoning packet, can of tomatoes, onion and can of chilies.

Stir up Homemade Chili Today

Don't sweat it! Easy homemade chili is a breeze. It takes little time and even less money. You can feed a family of 6 for less than $3 per person. And even better.... dinner can be on the table within 20 minutes. That's a comforting thought for me!

Please let me know if you have your own chili recipes, or suggested tweaks to the ones included here.

Comments 32 comments

Hey, Steph. One of the things that I like to add is Adobo. It goes well with chili as a finisher. Also, because I like my chili spicy, I add at least one dried chili. But of course I can't go crazy if children are going to be eating it as well. If I make it too spicy, I end up being the only one that's eating :D Thanks!

stephhicks68 7 years ago from Bend, Oregon Author

Yes, absolutely! I forgot to add that adults often like their chili spicier than kids! Adobo is a great spice and would really enhance the flavor, as well as a dried chili. Best to you, Steph

Good recipes! I like my chili made low and slow - in the crockpot that it.

You just can't beat homemade chili in a crockpot. Dump all the ingredients in and let it cook for 8 hours until perfection :)

stephhicks68 7 years ago from Bend, Oregon Author

Hi BlueGreenBull, yesterday I made this chili about 2 hours before my guests arrived. I did it in the pan, then transferred it to a slow cooker to keep it warm (on low). The flavors really intensified.

robie2 7 years ago from Central New Jersey

Chili is my all time personal winter favorite-- gonna make up a big vat of this one -- some to eat now and some to freeze for later:-)

thaninja 7 years ago from America

God I love chili....mmmm. Going to use this recipe tonight.

Leenie Pooh 6 years ago

Okay, you'll probably hate me for this one, but I like to use Amy's Organics canned chili and add my own veggies to it. I like your ideas though. I can use them to add variety to my canned chili :)

Mpages 6 years ago from USA

I love chili and this recipe is very delicious

Gordon Hamilton 6 years ago from Wishaw, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

Fantastic recipe ideas. You are right - it is truly such a versatile dish. I love to add cumin to it. For a serving for four people, I take one tsp of cumin seeds and lightly toast them in a dry pan before crushing them with a pestle and mortar and adding them to the pot. A glass of red wine also makes for a tasty addition... ;)

stephhicks68 6 years ago from Bend, Oregon Author

Wow Gordon, the crushed cumin sounds fabulous! I will have to try that next time we make chili. The weather is changing and its time to pull out the cooking pot. Cheers, Steph

wilderness 6 years ago from Boise, Idaho

Now you've done it! I'll be chili tonight for sure. I'm not much of a cook but even I can do this one I think and I love chili. Thanks!

stephhicks68 6 years ago from Bend, Oregon Author

Seriously - this chili recipe is sooo easy, people that are "not much of a cook" can easily impress. Enjoy! :-)

stessily 4 years ago

Steph, An excellent collection of easy, homemade chili recipes!

I'll be making chili tomorrow; it's going to simmer in the crockpot for several hours so it'll be piping hot at dinner time.

Your homemade chili seasoning recipe is close to mine, as it features oregano. For me oregano is a standard ingredient, with the distinctive flavour which it imparts.

Thanks for sharing.

Kind regards, Stessily

stephhicks68 4 years ago from Bend, Oregon Author

Yum! Chili in the crockpot! So delicious on its own, or served over baked potatoes or hotdogs. I agree about the oregano - I always have some in the spice cabinet. Enjoy your hearty chili tomorrow. Best, Steph

mflemons 4 years ago from Boston

well done! I love chili

2patricias 4 years ago from Sussex by the Sea

This does look easy, and I like the inclusion of a vegetarian alternative.

I am adding this to my Recipe Index for HubPages (under Mexican Food).

stephhicks68 4 years ago from Bend, Oregon Author

Thanks 2patricias - in fact, I think I will make this chili tonight! Have a great weekend, Steph

daisyjae 2 years ago from Canada

These look like great recipes! my kids love chili and I've never tried it with chicken. I will try your recipe!